《史(shi)記(ji)·周(zhou)(zhou)本(ben)紀》曰(yue)(yue):“成(cheng)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)少,周(zhou)(zhou)初定天下,周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)恐諸(zhu)侯(hou)畔周(zhou)(zhou),公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)乃攝行政當國(guo)(guo)(guo)。管叔(shu)(shu)、蔡叔(shu)(shu)群(qun)弟(di)疑周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong),與武庚(geng)(geng)作(zuo)亂(luan)叛(pan)周(zhou)(zhou)。”《史(shi)記(ji)·魯周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)世家》亦曰(yue)(yue):“其(qi)后武王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)既崩(beng),成(cheng)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)少,在襁褓之中。周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)恐天下聞武王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)崩(beng)而畔,周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)乃踐阼代成(cheng)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)攝行政當國(guo)(guo)(guo)。管叔(shu)(shu)及(ji)其(qi)群(qun)弟(di)流言(yan)于(yu)(yu)國(guo)(guo)(guo)曰(yue)(yue):‘周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)將(jiang)不(bu)利于(yu)(yu)成(cheng)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)。’”《尚(shang)書(shu)·金縢》亦云:“武王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)既喪,管叔(shu)(shu)及(ji)其(qi)群(qun)第乃流言(yan)于(yu)(yu)國(guo)(guo)(guo)。曰(yue)(yue):‘公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)將(jiang)不(bu)利于(yu)(yu)孺(ru)子。’”中國(guo)(guo)(guo)史(shi)書(shu)《尚(shang)書(shu)》《史(shi)記(ji)》的(de)三則記(ji)述把“三監之亂(luan)”的(de)原因說得再(zai)明白(bai)不(bu)過了,那就是:“管叔(shu)(shu)、蔡叔(shu)(shu)群(qun)弟(di)疑周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)”“將(jiang)不(bu)利于(yu)(yu)成(cheng)王(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang)(wang),”故“流言(yan)于(yu)(yu)國(guo)(guo)(guo)”而“與武庚(geng)(geng)作(zuo)亂(luan)叛(pan)周(zhou)(zhou)。”
三監(jian)(jian)的(de)具體(ti)君主及領(ling)土,說法不(bu)一(yi)(yi)。根據最(zui)新史料,三監(jian)(jian)之(zhi)亂的(de)實(shi)際發動者與(yu)三監(jian)(jian)結局(ju)也存在(zai)不(bu)同的(de)記載(zai)。一(yi)(yi)說為(wei)(wei)紂王子武庚和武王弟(di)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)叔(shu)(shu)、蔡叔(shu)(shu)。另說為(wei)(wei)武王之(zhi)弟(di)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)叔(shu)(shu)、蔡叔(shu)(shu)、霍(huo)(huo)叔(shu)(shu),在(zai)商(shang)都朝(chao)歌(ge)附(fu)近武裝,共同監(jian)(jian)護武庚的(de)領(ling)土。前說出(chu)現較早,后說較為(wei)(wei)通行。三監(jian)(jian)地(di)(di)域,一(yi)(yi)般認為(wei)(wei),朝(chao)歌(ge)以北地(di)(di)區為(wei)(wei)邶,由霍(huo)(huo)叔(shu)(shu)監(jian)(jian)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan);朝(chao)歌(ge)以南地(di)(di)區為(wei)(wei)鄘,由蔡叔(shu)(shu)監(jian)(jian)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan);朝(chao)歌(ge)以東地(di)(di)區為(wei)(wei)衛,由管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)叔(shu)(shu)監(jian)(jian)管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)。三監(jian)(jian)的(de)具體(ti)人物:周公兄管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)叔(shu)(shu)、弟(di)蔡叔(shu)(shu)、霍(huo)(huo)叔(shu)(shu)。所(suo)謂“監(jian)(jian)”,即(ji)監(jian)(jian)督殷(yin)商(shang)遺民(min)以防其造反,武庚在(zai)三監(jian)(jian)之(zhi)列(lie)明顯說不(bu)過去,所(suo)以管(guan)(guan)(guan)(guan)、蔡、霍(huo)(huo)為(wei)(wei)三監(jian)(jian)是(shi)正確的(de)。
周(zhou)(zhou)人取(qu)得了(le)政權后,根據當時(shi)人們“滅國(guo)(guo)(guo)不(bu)絕祀”的(de)(de)原則,保留(liu)殷人的(de)(de)祭祀。為(wei)了(le)收買民心(xin),安(an)撫殷商(shang)遺民,展示(shi)自(zi)己的(de)(de)寬柔(rou)仁義,鞏固自(zi)己的(de)(de)政權,周(zhou)(zhou)武(wu)王(wang)把(ba)紂的(de)(de)兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)武(wu)庚(geng)封(feng)在殷商(shang)故地。周(zhou)(zhou)武(wu)王(wang)終究對武(wu)庚(geng)不(bu)放心(xin),害怕他起事作亂,于是又把(ba)朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)歌(ge)周(zhou)(zhou)圍(wei)(wei)的(de)(de)原京畿之地分(fen)(fen)為(wei)邶、鄘、衛(wei)三(san)(san)個小國(guo)(guo)(guo),安(an)排自(zi)己的(de)(de)弟弟管叔(shu)(shu)、蔡(cai)叔(shu)(shu)、霍(huo)(huo)叔(shu)(shu)駐(zhu)守在殷都周(zhou)(zhou)圍(wei)(wei)的(de)(de)衛(wei)、鄘、邶三(san)(san)國(guo)(guo)(guo),監督殷商(shang)遺民以(yi)防(fang)其造反(fan)。朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)歌(ge)以(yi)北為(wei)邶國(guo)(guo)(guo),在如今(jin)(jin)(jin)的(de)(de)湯陰(yin)(yin)東(dong)南(nan)16公里(li)的(de)(de)邶城(cheng),清乾隆《湯陰(yin)(yin)縣志》載:“邶城(cheng)在縣東(dong)三(san)(san)十里(li),此(ci)武(wu)王(wang)滅殷、分(fen)(fen)封(feng)諸(zhu)侯,封(feng)紂子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)武(wu)庚(geng)于此(ci)。”武(wu)王(wang)的(de)(de)弟弟、文(wen)王(wang)的(de)(de)第八個兒子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)霍(huo)(huo)叔(shu)(shu)(姬處)被封(feng)為(wei)邶國(guo)(guo)(guo)國(guo)(guo)(guo)君(jun);朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)歌(ge)以(yi)南(nan)的(de)(de)地方(fang)(fang)為(wei)國(guo)(guo)(guo),在如今(jin)(jin)(jin)的(de)(de)衛(wei)輝倪灣(wan),國(guo)(guo)(guo)君(jun)是文(wen)王(wang)的(de)(de)五子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)蔡(cai)叔(shu)(shu)(姬度(du));朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)歌(ge)以(yi)東(dong)的(de)(de)地方(fang)(fang)為(wei)衛(wei)國(guo)(guo)(guo),在如今(jin)(jin)(jin)的(de)(de)浚(jun)縣衛(wei)賢,國(guo)(guo)(guo)君(jun)是文(wen)王(wang)的(de)(de)第三(san)(san)子(zi)(zi)(zi)(zi)管叔(shu)(shu)(姬鮮)。邶、鄘、衛(wei)對朝(chao)(chao)(chao)(chao)歌(ge)形成合圍(wei)(wei)之勢史(shi)稱“三(san)(san)監”。
周人立國(guo)未穩,強敵環視(shi),武王(wang)為國(guo)事憂(you)慮(lv),常常夜(ye)不能寐(mei)。他說:“維(wei)天(tian)建(jian)殷,其登名民三(san)百六十夫,不顯亦不賓滅,以(yi)至于今。我未定(ding)天(tian)保,何暇(xia)寐(mei)!”
公(gong)(gong)元前1043年,武(wu)王(wang)有疾,死去。成王(wang)即位(wei),年幼(you),由周(zhou)公(gong)(gong)代(dai)行王(wang)事(shi)。武(wu)王(wang)的(de)(de)弟弟中(zhong)管(guan)叔最(zui)長(chang),按(an)照兄終弟及的(de)(de)慣例,他最(zui)有資格攝(she)政(zheng),因(yin)此武(wu)王(wang)的(de)(de)遺命被他認(ren)為是遭到了周(zhou)公(gong)(gong)的(de)(de)篡改,加之周(zhou)公(gong)(gong)制定(ding)的(de)(de)禮制嚴格限制諸侯(hou)勢力,引起(qi)了武(wu)王(wang)群弟的(de)(de)不滿(man)和猜忌(ji)。《尚書(shu)·金縢》載:“管(guan)叔及其群弟乃(nai)流言(yan)于(yu)國曰(yue):“公(gong)(gong)將不利于(yu)孺子。”在這種情(qing)況下,管(guan)、蔡與武(wu)庚聯(lian)合作(zuo)亂。
武庚早有(you)復國的野心,這時不僅聯(lian)合三監,而且又和殷商舊地東(dong)夷的徐(xu)、奄、薄姑(gu)等方國串(chuan)通,叛亂(luan)反周,局勢十(shi)分嚴重。
管、蔡以(yi)及(ji)武(wu)庚(geng)與東(dong)夷(yi)地區的叛亂,嚴重地威脅了(le)周(zhou)(zhou)王(wang)朝(chao)的安全。周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)團結(jie)召公(gong)奭(shi),采取果斷(duan)措施,親率大(da)軍東(dong)征(zheng)。東(dong)征(zheng)對鞏(gong)固西(xi)周(zhou)(zhou)王(wang)朝(chao)、擴大(da)周(zhou)(zhou)的轄地起了(le)重要(yao)作用。《尚書(shu)·金縢》記載:“周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)居東(dong)二年則罪人斯得(de)。”周(zhou)(zhou)公(gong)首(shou)先鎮(zhen)壓“三監”,制止(zhi)了(le)流言,殺了(le)管叔放逐(zhu)了(le)蔡叔;還誅殺了(le)武(wu)庚(geng),以(yi)紂王(wang)庶兄微子繼承殷祀(si),在宋(song)(今(jin)河南商丘(qiu))建國(guo),史稱宋(song)國(guo)。
武(wu)庚覆滅(mie)后,周(zhou)公(gong)(gong)繼續(xu)東(dong)征(zheng)(zheng)(zheng),經過三(san)年(nian)艱苦斗爭(zheng)這(zhe)場動亂(luan)才告(gao)平定。東(dong)征(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)范圍似較廣闊,窮追(zhui)猛打,聲(sheng)勢達于(yu)江南(nan)(nan)。《呂氏春秋·古(gu)樂》記載:“成(cheng)(cheng)王(wang)(wang)(wang)立(li),殷民反(fan),王(wang)(wang)(wang)命周(zhou)公(gong)(gong)踐伐(fa)(fa)之(zhi)。商人(ren)(ren)服象,為虐于(yu)東(dong)夷,周(zhou)公(gong)(gong)遂以師逐之(zhi)江南(nan)(nan)。”周(zhou)公(gong)(gong)東(dong)征(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)至江南(nan)(nan),可以在銅器銘文中找到旁證(zheng)。丹徒出(chu)土的《俎侯(hou)夨簋》銘曰:“唯四月,辰在丁(ding)未武(wu)王(wang)(wang)(wang)、成(cheng)(cheng)王(wang)(wang)(wang)伐(fa)(fa)商圖,遂省東(dong)或圖。王(wang)(wang)(wang)于(yu)俎,饗。王(wang)(wang)(wang)令虞(yu)侯(hou)夨曰:‘侯(hou)于(yu)俎。……錫(xi)土,厥川三(san)百(bai),厥百(bai)又(you)(you)邑卅又(you)(you)五,百(bai)又(you)(you)卌,錫(xi)在宜。王(wang)(wang)(wang)人(ren)(ren)又(you)(you)七(qi)姓;錫(xi)鄭七(qi)伯,厥五十夫;錫(xi)俎庶(shu)人(ren)(ren)六百(bai)又(you)(you)六夫。俎侯(hou)夨揚王(wang)(wang)(wang)休,作虞(yu)公(gong)(gong)丁(ding)尊彝。
周王朝在(zai)滅商(shang)以后,將其兵(bing)力分為三部分:殷(yin)八(ba)(ba)(ba)師、成周八(ba)(ba)(ba)師和(he)西六師,以保衛全國。殷(yin)八(ba)(ba)(ba)師駐(zhu)在(zai)殷(yin)之故地朝歌,主要是對付殷(yin)人和(he)東夷。《小臣言速簋(gui)》銘(ming)載:“揸!(今)東夷大(da)反,伯懋(mao)父以殷(yin)八(ba)(ba)(ba)師征東夷。”可見東夷作亂是殷(yin)八(ba)(ba)(ba)師鎮壓的。
西六師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)駐守西土,拱(gong)衛(wei)豐(feng)、鎬宗周(zhou)之地(di)。營建(jian)東(dong)都雒(luo)邑后(hou),成(cheng)(cheng)周(zhou)八(ba)(ba)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)駐守在雒(luo)邑,以(yi)保衛(wei)成(cheng)(cheng)周(zhou)。《錄(lu)卣》銘曰(yue):“王(wang)令曰(yue):!(今)淮(huai)(huai)夷敢(gan)伐內國,汝其以(yi)成(cheng)(cheng)周(zhou)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)氏(shi),戌于葉師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。”“成(cheng)(cheng)周(zhou)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)氏(shi)”即周(zhou)八(ba)(ba)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)氏(shi);《競卣》銘載(zai):“惟(wei)白屖父(fu)以(yi)成(cheng)(cheng)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)即東(dong),命戌南(nan)。”成(cheng)(cheng)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)即成(cheng)(cheng)周(zhou)八(ba)(ba)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)的(de)省稱,南(nan)淮(huai)(huai)夷的(de)作亂(luan)則用成(cheng)(cheng)周(zhou)八(ba)(ba)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)前(qian)往征討。
為了控制東(dong)(dong)方,威服(fu)南(nan)土,周(zhou)(zhou)公決(jue)定“作大邑(yi)成(cheng)周(zhou)(zhou)于土中(zhong)(zhong)。”周(zhou)(zhou)公定鼎于郟鄏(今洛(luo)陽(yang)市內(nei)郟鄏陌(mo)),在今河(he)南(nan)境內(nei)建造雒(luo)(luo)(luo)邑(yi)。這里(li)(li)地(di)處天下(xia)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)中(zhong)(zhong),是(shi)(shi)伊、洛(luo)、瀍(chan)、澗四水流經之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)地(di),土地(di)寬平,千里(li)(li)沃野,是(shi)(shi)天然的(de)(de)(de)糧(liang)倉。在它的(de)(de)(de)東(dong)(dong)邊(bian),又有(you)伊闕之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)險隘,是(shi)(shi)進可(ke)攻、退可(ke)守的(de)(de)(de)戰略要地(di)。這樣,西(xi)(xi)起周(zhou)(zhou)原,東(dong)(dong)至雒(luo)(luo)(luo)邑(yi),即(ji)渭、涇、河(he)、洛(luo)一帶皆為周(zhou)(zhou)的(de)(de)(de)王畿之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)地(di)。西(xi)(xi)邊(bian)以鎬京為中(zhong)(zhong)心,是(shi)(shi)周(zhou)(zhou)人(ren)發祥(xiang)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)地(di),稱為“宗(zong)周(zhou)(zhou)”;東(dong)(dong)邊(bian)以雒(luo)(luo)(luo)邑(yi)為中(zhong)(zhong)心,是(shi)(shi)周(zhou)(zhou)王朝(chao)(chao)統(tong)治東(dong)(dong)方的(de)(de)(de)重(zhong)心,稱為“成(cheng)周(zhou)(zhou)”。周(zhou)(zhou)王朝(chao)(chao)把(ba)殷“頑民”遷到(dao)這里(li)(li),嚴密監視。瀍(chan)水西(xi)(xi)岸修(xiu)建王城,是(shi)(shi)朝(chao)(chao)會諸侯(hou)的(de)(de)(de)東(dong)(dong)都。駐在雒(luo)(luo)(luo)邑(yi)的(de)(de)(de)成(cheng)周(zhou)(zhou)八師(shi),東(dong)(dong)可(ke)以控制東(dong)(dong)方各(ge)諸侯(hou)國家,西(xi)(xi)可(ke)以拱衛宗(zong)周(zhou)(zhou),南(nan)可(ke)威服(fu)淮夷,北可(ke)扼幽燕。雒(luo)(luo)(luo)邑(yi)成(cheng)為周(zhou)(zhou)王朝(chao)(chao)的(de)(de)(de)東(dong)(dong)都,對鞏固周(zhou)(zhou)王朝(chao)(chao)的(de)(de)(de)統(tong)治起了不(bu)可(ke)替(ti)代的(de)(de)(de)作用。
三監之(zhi)亂嚴重(zhong)威脅到了周(zhou)朝的(de)(de)(de)統(tong)治秩序,周(zhou)公(gong)花費三年的(de)(de)(de)時間進(jin)行東(dong)征,徹(che)底消滅了殷商王朝的(de)(de)(de)殘余勢力,擴(kuo)大東(dong)方(fang)境土。為了鞏(gong)固周(zhou)王朝在(zai)東(dong)方(fang)的(de)(de)(de)統(tong)治,周(zhou)公(gong)進(jin)一步營建東(dong)都雒(luo)邑和封建諸侯。周(zhou)公(gong)、成王、康(kang)王時期是西周(zhou)王朝穩(wen)定發(fa)展時期,“刑錯(cuo)四十年不用”,史(shi)稱“成康(kang)之(zhi)治”。